RWANDA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Radio Lifeline, a non-profit based in the US, announces the
launch of the Black Earth Project, a new initiative designed to
help farmers mitigate the growing effects of climate change. Radio
Lifeline’s partner in this project is re:char, a leading
developer of small-scale biochar technologies, based in Kenya. Major
funding for the Black Earth Project is being provided by Green
Mountain Coffee Roasters,Inc. (GMCR), headquartered in
Waterbury, VT.

The Black Earth Project is a two-year research project designed
to evaluate the effectiveness of biochar when used as a soil amendment
by smallholder coffee and pyrethrum farmers in Rwanda. Biochar is
produced through a process called pyrolysis, or the burning of dried
biomass in a low or zero oxygen environment. The process prevents
combustion and the usual release of carbon dioxide, black carbon and
other greenhouse gases associated with traditional charcoal production
methods.

“When used as a soil amendment, biochar can increase crop yields, reduce
nutrient leaching, help retain moisture, reduce soil acidity and improve
surrounding water quality while significantly reducing the need for
additional irrigation and fertilizer inputs. Biochar has increasingly
been cited as an effective approach to carbon sequestration as it can
remain stable in the soil for thousands of years”, said Jason Aramburu,
CEO of re:char.

The Black Earth Project will incorporate the use of re:char’s
Climate Kiln, making possible a farm-centered approach to biochar
production by utilizing various forms of agricultural crop residues,
including dried corn stalks, grasses, rice hulls and coffee pulp as well
as cow manure and wood chips. A series of test plots will be constructed
within Rwanda’s coffee and pyrethrum farming sectors to measure the
benefits of using biochar as a soil amendment as compared to traditional
petrochemical-based fertilizers. Farmers will be kept abreast of the
project’s progress via Radio Lifeline’s weekly farmer-focused
programs, broadcast through its network of community radio stations.

“The Black Earth Project could make a significant contribution to
GMCR’s continuing efforts to help farmers meet the challenges presented
by climate change and food insecurity by helping to increase yields and
decrease input costs in coffee producing regions. We are very pleased to
support this collaborative and innovative project,” commented Colleen
Popkin, GMCR’s Coffee Community Outreach Manager.

Peter Kettler, Executive Director of Radio Lifeline remarked,
“This project advances our goal of providing low-tech,
locally-appropriate solutions to some of the biggest challenges that
farmers in the developing world are facing today, including climate
change, increased competition for natural resources, rising input costs
and the complex issues related to food security. If successful, the
Black Earth Project could eventually lead to the production of the
world’s first carbon-negative coffee.”

The Black Earth Project is scheduled to begin construction of
test plots and initiate farmer training workshops on March 3 in Butare,
Rwanda. Radio Lifeline will provide regular project updates
through its blog and on its website, www.radiolifeline.org.

Radio Lifeline is a US non-profit that seeks to provide
low-tech, locally appropriate and sustainable technologies to help
farmers in the developing world meet the increased challenges of farming
in the 21st century. Our Coffee Lifeline and Py Lifeline projects
connect farmers in the developing world to information that can lead to
higher quality crops and a better quality of life. Our approach in each
of our projects is based on collaboration, partnering with existing
NGO’s, local agronomists, universities, industry stakeholders and
government agencies to increase the impact of their various outreach and
education efforts via self-powered radio technology and weekly
farmer-focused broadcasts.

About Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.

As a leader in specialty coffee and coffee makers, Green Mountain
Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR) (NASDAQ:GMCR), is recognized for its
award-winning coffees, innovative Keurig® Single Cup brewing technology,
and socially responsible business practices. GMCR supports local and
global communities by offsetting 100% of its direct greenhouse gas
emissions, investing in sustainably-grown coffee, and donating a portion
of its pre-tax profits to social and environmental projects. For more
information, please visit us online at www.GMCR.com;
www.GreenMountainCoffee.com
or www.keurig.com.